Shuttle removers for embroidering machines



K. LiNDNER 2,902,957

SHUTTLE REMOVERS FOR EMBROIDERING MACHINES Filed April 15. 1958 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Fiji.

Sept. 8, 1959 I II Q1 3 V- H l w m 0 m 5 0 1 T fi u m w w K Y w \l 7 I 6in m w M H m w B M n. H xm/ z v W \J T l \elgid .i {an 'Sept. 8, 1959 K.LINDNER 7 Y SHUTTLE REMOVERS FOR EMBROIDERI'NG MACHINES Filed April 15,1958 TATE. I TATE.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J2 52 40 f0 52 J 5/ T 6 1 I I I! "k I l'll l Ill! '4 am57 5711: 5? 50 M 52 1 51-11- I NV EN TOR. 54m l/A/oA/ae Un ird, S at sPfl c SHUTTLE REMOVERS FOR EMBROIDERING MACHINES Karol Lindner, St.Petersburg, Fla. Application April 15, 1958, Serial No. 728,601

' 10 Claims. (Cl. 112-486) ingly, it is necessary to replace suchbobbins periodically.

In actual practice, instead of replacing the bobbin in the shuttle, apreloaded shuttle is substituted for the exhausted one. Shuttles are nowreplaced by lifting them out of the shuttle box and substituting a fullyloaded shuttle. This is a time consuming and tedious operation since aconventional 15 yard machine has more than 550 shuttle boxes. In myprior patent I disclosed a mechanism for facilitating the feeding ofshuttles to the shuttle boxes. In the instant invention, however, Idisclose a device for removing a large quantity of exhausted shuttlesfrom the shuttle boxes so that loaded ones may be replaced therein.

The invention comprises an elongated device having a number of inclinedcut-outs each of which is adapted to fit over theupper end of a shuttlewhen the shuttle is advanced to its extreme upward position in themachine. The device embodies means for engaging the upper tip ends of alarge number of shuttles so as to permit their removal from the shuttleboxes. Means are also provided to disengage the shuttles so as to permitthem to be released and dropped into a container of any kind.

The tip or pointed ends of the shuttles include an inside recess as iswell known in the art. My engaging means enter this recess and comprisereleasable spring locks for insuring a good grip on the shuttles.

The invention will be further understood from the following descriptionand drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view illustratingthe application of the removing device to the shuttles of theembroidering machines;

Figure 2 is an end view of the device in elevation;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view as taken along the line3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view as taken along the line4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view as taken along the line 5-5of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view as taken along the line 6-6of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an arm and arm holder used in engagingthe shuttle;

Figure 8 is a front elevational view of a modified embodiment;

Figure 9 is a side elevational view thereof; Figure 10 is a bottom planview of the "above mentioned modified embodiment;

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view as taken along the line 11-11 ofFigure 10;

. section 16 to form the rectangular structure.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view as taken substantially along theline 1212 of Figure 11; V

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view as taken along the line 1313 ofFigure 11; and

Figure, 14 is a perspective View of the engaging arm for the shuttle.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 7, the body of the device is rectangularand box like in appearance as will be noted from Figures 2, 5 and 6.Referring to Figure 2, it comprises a bottom section 15 connected to aside Panels 17 and 18 serve to enclose and protect the mechanism. Thebottom section 15 is formed with a number of parallel inclined chambers19, each of which slidably receives an arm holder 26 having a verticalslot 21 at the bottom of which is secured an arm 22 as noted in Figure7. The exposed end of arm 22 has a concavely arcuate lower end which, aswill be noted hereinafter, presses complementarily against the shuttleupper end.

Each chamber 19 is formed with a floor 23 (Figure 5) having acentralslot-like opening which slidably receives arm 22 therethrough.

The lower end of bottom section 15 is formed with a series of cut-outs24 which are below floor 23 and each of which communicates with one ofthe above mentioned central slots thereof. As observed in Figure 3,cut-outs 24 are shaped like inverted Vs with one leg of the V concavelyarcuate and the other leg inclined about 15 from a vertical plane so asto receive and conform to the upper endof the shuttle as willhereinafter be explained.

Said inverted V shape results from a cross-sectional view of thecut-outs 24. Actually, as observed in Figure 5, the cut-outs 24 haverounded walls conforming to the shape of the rear upper end of theshuttle. Accordingly, the rear upper end of the shuttles 25, as noted inFigure 1, will be snugly received in the cut-outs 24.

Side section 16 is formed With an upper enlargement 26 which rests uponthe top level of bottom section 15 ,as observed in Figure 2. Upperenlargement 26 is formed with a plurality of inclined parallel grooves27 defined by spaced bosses 28. An arm holder 20 is slidably disposed ineach groove 27 as noted in Figure 1. The inclination of the grooves 27and bosses 28 is about 15 from vertical. A slidable bar 29 passesthrough all of the vertical slots 21 so as to suspend each arm holderupon bar 29.

Bar 29 is horizontally slidable in elongated vertical slot 39 which isformed along the entire length of enlargement 26 of side 16. The extentof slidability is controlled by horizontal, closed slots 31 which engagefixed :pins 32. Thus, bar 29 may slide horizontally back and forthpursuant to the length of horizontal slots 31.

Bar 29 constitutes a cam device for vertically actuating the arm holdersfrom a lowered position of the arms 22 for engaging the shuttles as willhereinafter be described, to a raised position for disengaging theshuttles when itis desired to release them. Bar 29 is manually slidablyactuated and is formed with a fingerhold cutout 33 to facilitate suchactuation. The bar is formed with a series of aligned cut-outs 34 havingone wall 35 which is parallel to the inclined grooves 27 and having anopposing cam wall 36 which is inclined rearwardly relative thereto. a

It will be observed that the rear wall of the cut-outs 24 is formed withan integral projection 37. This projection 37 cooperates with thearcuate lower end of arm 22 in firmly engaging a shuttle upper end.

As is well understood by those skilled in the art, each shuttle 25comprises a hollow chamber 38, the upper end of which is tipped orpointed. An inner wall, not shown, is hinged at the bottom of theopening of chamber 28 and serves to close the shuttle. This inner walldoes not reach the inner tipped end of the shuttle so as to leave aslight inner recess 39 at such tipped end as observed in Figure 1. Thearm 22 serves to depress and wedge the upper end of the shuttle againstthe projection 37 which enters the recess 39 and thus firmly engages theupper end of the shuttle. When the arm 22 is in a rest position, theshuttles fit freely in the recesses 39 notwithstanding the presence ofintegral projections 37 which are formed on the rear Walls of thecut-outs 24. When, however, the arm 22 is lowered it wedges the upperend of the shuttles against the projections 37.

Bottom section is connected to front section 16 as by screws 40 whichalso secure the rear panel 17 to the assembly.

The device as above described is employed as follows:

Referring to Figure l, the embroidering machine is provided with a largenumber of aligned shuttle boxes 41 each of which has a vertical planarback i2 all as well understood. The shuttle 25 slides upon chute 43 ofshuttle box 41 during the operation of the machine. When the shuttle 2-5is actuated to an extreme upper position as illustrated in Figure 1, itsupper end is accessible for removal. It is in this position that mydevice is employed.

The device may comprise any convenient number of cut-outs 24. Forexample, let us assume that it has 15 such cut-outs. The device ispositioned and longitudinally arranged that all the cut-outs 24- embracethe upper tip ends of the shuttles 25. Since the shape of the cut-outs2.4 are complementary to such tip ends, the shuttles will be receivedsnugly in such cut-outs.

Normally, each arm holder 20 has the upper end of its slot 21 engaged bythe upper end of wall 35 as illustrated in Figure 3 so that said armholders are disposed in their uppermost position. in this position, thearms 22 are held upwardly and outwardly of the cut-outs 24, thuspermitting the cut-outs 24- to snugly embrace the upper or tip ends ofthe shuttle 25. Accordingly, when the bar 29 is actuated from theoutward position illustrated in Figure 3, to an inward positionillustrated in Figure l, the arms 22. will descend because the upper endof the slots 21 are now in the valley of cut-outs 34. Arms 20 thus dropnot simply by gravity but through the influence of springs 45. Thesearms 22 then push against the upper rear of the shuttles as illustratedin Figure l and force the projections 37 into the inside recesses 39..This effects a firm grasp upon all the shuttles.

The user will then lift the entire device with all the shuttles firmlyheld and suspended therefrom. He will then place the device over acontainer and will retract bar 29. This will raise all the arm holdersand arms whereupon the shuttles 25 will drop through force of gravityinto the container. The shuttle boxes may then be reloaded with filledshuttles.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 13, a modified form of the device is shownwhich effects the same results. It will be observed that the height ofthis device is less than that of the first embodiment, the reason beingthat the arms, as will be shown hereinafter, swing pivotally rather thanreciprocate vertically. in this device, the body 50 has side plates 51and 5'2 and a top plate 53. Body 50 may be of one piece construction,but for facility in producing, it is formed with adjacent sections 543a,5011, 50c, and 500., etc. which are horizontally aligned. The undersideof body 50 is formed with cut-outs 52 which are complementary in shapeto the upper end of the shuttle as hereinbefore described.

The means for actuating the arms comprises a bar 54 hearing a handle 55at one end thereof. Bar 54 is elongated and has a plurality of spacedholes 56 formed therein. Bar 54 slides horizontally in a well formed atthe upper end of body 50. The well is covered by means of the top plate53.

Arms 57 are pivotally mounted in each section of body 50, such armsserving to engage the shuttles. Each arm 4 57 is provided with a hingepin 58 which may be integral therewith or secured thereto. As observedin Figure 13, hinge pins 58 are disposed in openings in sides of body50, such openings serving as bearings.

Each arm 57 is provided with a reduced upper end 59 which is engaged bythe openings 56 of bar 54 so that horizontal reciprocation of bar 54causes the arms to pivot about their pins 58.

Each of the arms 57 is provided with an integral projection 60 at thelower end thereof. This projection serves essentially the same functionas the projection 37 of the first embodiment save that in this case, itis made integral with the arms.

As observed in Figures 11 and 12, all the arms 57 are pivotally mountedwithin body 50, the upper reduced ends 59 of the arms all being engagedby correspondingly spaced opening 56 in the bar 54. Integral with eacharm 57 is a spring retaining pin 61.. A spring 62 is mounted on each pin61 the other terminal of the spring being retained in an opening 63formed in the body 50.

Referring to Figure 11, when a shuttle 25 has its upper or tipped enddisposed within the cut-out 52, in substantially the same manner ashereinabove described, its inside recess, as above described, will be ina position to be engaged by the projection 60 of each arm. The normalaction of the spring 63 is to bias the arms 57 in such a direction thatthe projections 60 enter the inside upper recesses of the shuttle. Atthe same time, the lower ends of arm 57 push against the shuttle so asto urge its convexly rounded upper, outer wall against the concavelyrounded cut-outs 52 so as to permit the projection 60 to effect a goodgrip with the inside recess of the shuttle.

The last mentioned embodiment will be operated by initially sliding bar54- inwardly against the action of the springs 63. The device will thenbe deposited over as many shuttles as there are cut-outs to accommodatethem. The operator will then release the bar 54 or, preferably, actuallypull it outwardly so as to permit the springs 63 to actuate the arms 57to a shuttle engaging position. At this time the shuttles have beenfound to be firmly engaged and the device can be lifted from themachine, with all the shuttles being suspended therefrom, whereupon theymay be released as aforesaid, into a suitable container,

It will be seen from the foregoing that I have devised a machine whichwill simply and reliably remove a large number of shuttles in a simple,substantially single action. The bottom cut-outs are spaced pursuant tothe normal spacing of the shuttles 25 in the machine as illustrated inFigure 1 so that the shuttles Will accurately fit into such cut-outs soas to be engaged by the arms in the projections. The body of the devicemay be formed of wood, plastic, metal, or any equivalent material.

There has been shown what is now considered preferred embodiments of theinvention but it is obvious that numerous changes and omissions may bemade without departing from its spirit.

What is claimed is:

1. A shuttle removing device for embroidering machines, said devicecomprising a body having a series of cut-outs formed therein, each ofsaid cut-outs being of a shape to receive the upper end of a shuttle, apro jection disposed in said cut-outs and adapted to enter a recess inthe upper end of the shuttle for engaging the shuttle, and manuallyactuable means for effecting said engagement.

2. A shuttle removing device for embroidering machines, said devicecomprising a body having a series of cut-outs formed therein, each ofsaid cut-outs being of a shape to receive the upper end of a shuttle, aprojection disposed in said cut-outs and adapted to enter a recess inthe upper end of the shuttle for engaging the shuttle, an arm for urgingsaid projection into engagement with said shuttle upper end, and amanually controlled bar actuating said arm.

3. A device according to claim 2 and wherein each of said cut-outs areof substantially inverted V-shape in longitudinal cross-section with oneleg of the V concavely arcuate and the other straight and inclined froma vertical plane.

4. A device according to claim 3 and including spring means for urgingsaid arm into engaging position with said projection.

5. A device according to claim 4 and wherein said arm has a concavelyarcuate lower end which presses against said shuttle upper end from oneside of said cut-out, said projection being formed on said body on theother side of said cut-out.

6. A device according to claim 5 and wherein said body is formed with anenlargement on one side thereof, a series of inclined, parallel chambersformed in said enlargement, a holder for each arm slidably disposed ineach of said chambers, each of said chambers being formed with a floorhaving a slot formed therethrough, said arm being secured to said armholder and extending into said floor slot, said floor slot communicatingwith said cut-outs, said bar being manually slidable, and a slot in eachof said arm holders through which said bar extends, said bar comprisingmeans for actuating said arm holders and arms out of engagement with theshuttles when the bar is manually actuated.

7. A device according to claim 6 and wherein said bar is formed with camwalled cut-outs, the cam walls engaging said arm holder through the armholder slots and actuating said arm holders and arms in a substantiallyvertical direction when said bar is actuated horizontally.

8. A device according to claim 2 and wherein said arm and saidprojection are integral.

9. A device according to claim 8 and wherein said arm is pivotallymounted in said body, and spring means for normally urging said arm andsaid projection into engagement with said shuttle upper end, said barbeing slidably connected to all of said arms for actuating them againstthe action of said spring means.

10. A device according to claim 9 and wherein each of said cut-outs areof substantially inverted V-shape in longitudinal cross-section with oneleg of the V concavely arcuate and the other straight and inclined froma vertical plane.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,208,298 Mahatfey July 16, 1940 2,232,196 Anderson Feb. 18, 19412,609,102 Henle Sept. 2, 1952 2,694,374 Lindcr Nov. 16, 1954

